News

BRADY RECEIVES ‘FRIEND OF INFRASTRUCTURE’ AWARD

8/8/2019

Recognizing his support to improve the state’s crumbling infrastructure, the Transportation for Illinois Coalition has presented Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady with its “Friend of Infrastructure” award.

Let the People Choose their Representatives

7/15/2019

The recent ruling by the United States Supreme Court leaving redistricting to state legislatures shows that now is the time for the Illinois General Assembly to vote on Senate Joint Resolution-Constitutional Amendment 4 (SJRCA 4). This bipartisan measure, which has 37 sponsors (enough to pass the measure), would give the people of Illinois the opportunity to amend our Illinois Constitution and create a new, non-partisan system for drawing maps.

STATEMENT BY SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADER BILL BRADY ON THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT RULING REGARDING POLITICAL GERRYMANDERING.

6/27/2019

“Today’s ruling by the United States Supreme Court shows the time is now for the Illinois General Assembly to vote upon Senate Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 4. This bipartisan measure, which has 37 sponsors (which is enough to pass the measure) would give the people of Illinois the opportunity to amend the Constitution and create a new, non-partisan system for drawing maps. A healthy democracy requires competitive elections and new ideas, which is in the people’s best interest. Our current system, which gives the party in power ultimate authority to redraw legislative maps, inhibits that. As a result, I am calling on the Illinois Senate President to ensure this measure gets called for a vote, and for the Governor to follow through with his pledge to support fair maps in Illinois. We need to take the power of drawing legislative maps away from politicians and put it in the hands of the people.”

Senate Minority Leader Bill Brady Addresses the City Club of Chicago

THE FOLLOWING IS A STATEMENT BY SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADER BILL BRADY ON THE ADJOURNMENT OF THE 2019 SPRING SESSION.

6/2/2019

“Senate Republicans demonstrated throughout this session that common ground could be found on key issues like investing in our state’s infrastructure, which will make critical improvements to our state’s roads, bridges and buildings,” said Brady (R-Bloomington). “Throughout this session, Senate Republicans were not afraid to speak up when needed, and were not afraid to stand together when warranted. I commend Governor Pritzker for working across the aisle on those key issues that produced bipartisan support. Now, as we move forward, Senate Republicans will continue to fight for the issues important to Illinois residents.”

“A graduated income tax will make it easier to raise taxes and even easier to play games with our state’s Tax Code. I believe the crafters of our current Constitution, which included a flat tax and was embraced by the people of Illinois, designed it specifically to protect middle-income families from politicians,” said Brady (R-Bloomington). “We have proven over the past few years how easy it’s been to raise taxes in Illinois. A graduated income tax will make it even easier and, in fact, open the door for future tax increases. Today, I chose to stand with the middle-income families of Illinois and against this $3.4 billion tax increase.”

Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady on issues in Springfield ahead of the end of May Adjournment Date

4/25/2019

Rick Pearson speaks with Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady of Bloomington on the legislative session and the status of various initiatives proposed by Governor J.B. Pritzker. Bill shares where things stand in terms of a IL State Budget; the fair tax proposal and how negotiations have been playing a factor; the possibility of marijuana legalization; and much more.

(Bloomington Pantagraph/Jerry Nowicki) - A state senator wants to give all Illinois high school students the opportunity to walk across the graduation stage with an associate degree to complement their diploma. Senate Minority Leader Bill Brady, a Bloomington Republican, told the Senate Education Committee this week he is still fine-tuning the proposal, Senate Bill 2046, but the general premise is to quicken the pace at which young adults can enter the workforce.

Illinois State Senate GOP leader Bill Brady joins the Steve Cochran Show to discuss the state of Illinois...He address the Governor’s budget address and what he supports and disagrees with. He’s concerned about the minimum wage increase.

“The Governor’s proposed budget represents a starting point for further negotiations. We heard a lot in his speech about more spending, more tax increases and concepts tried in the past. And while we as legislators now begin digging into the details, I have grave concerns about the pension plan and I remain opposed to a graduated income tax. The people of Illinois are demanding their elected officials address the fiscal crisis facing our state. If we are going to put Illinois on a path forward; then we need to learn from history, not repeat it.”

Sign the petition to let the people decide on fair maps!

SENATE REPUBLICANS MAKE PUSH FOR FAIR MAPS

2/6/2019

The Senate Republican Caucus is asking the people of Illinois to speak up and help put a fair maps amendment on the ballot for the next election, giving people the power to pick their legislators instead of letting lawmakers pick their voters.
“Healthy democracy requires competitive elections and new ideas. Our current system, which gives the party in power ultimate authority to redraw legislative maps, inhibits that,” said Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady (R-Bloomington). “We need to take the power of drawing legislative maps away from politicians and give the people of this state the opportunity to vote on a new redistricting system.”

Not every child learns at the same speed and not every child can succeed in a public school, but children can learn. They need to be in the proper environment, a setting that meets their needs. Students and their parents deserve to have options so students can reach their full potential.
Unfortunately, many families do not have options because of their financial situations.
The Invest in Kids Act helps remedy that. It’s a program that should be expanded so more students have the opportunity to receive the education that fits their needs. At the very least, it should be allowed to complete its five-year pilot run.
Invest in Kids, approved by the Illinois General Assembly in 2017, has helped about 5,500 students in Illinois.

News laws for 2019

LEADERS BRADY AND DURKIN ON THE PASSING OF PRESIDENT GEORGE H. W. BUSH

12/1/2018

The following is a statement by Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady (R-44th District) and House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-82nd District) on the passing of George H. W. Bush, 41st President of the United States.
“Today we mourn the passing of an extraordinary American hero. George H. W. Bush dedicated himself to serving our nation, and the legacy he leaves behind will be forever cherished by every American..."

Brady joins Steve Cochran Show

BRADY UNANIMOUSLY RE-ELECTED SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADER

11/14/2018

“I am humbled and honored to have the full support and confidence of my Senate Republican colleagues. A leader is only as strong as the team around him, and I’m truly fortunate to have such a talented and hard-working caucus supporting me,” said Brady (R-44th District). “As we prepare for a new General Assembly, with a newly-elected Democrat Governor, Senate Republicans are willing to work in collaboration with the other side of the aisle on the important issues facing Illinois families. However, collaboration should not be confused with capitulation. Senate Republicans will continue the fight for reforms that attract businesses and jobs, and we will continue to stand up for the hard-working, over-taxed, residents of Illinois. We can move Illinois forward if we work together to find common ground.”

Brady encourages families to submit stories of veterans to be showcased at Illinois Capitol

10/10/2018

Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady is encouraging constituents to submit a tribute and photo of their loved ones who served our country to be displayed on the Veterans Day “Wall of Honor” in the Illinois Capitol Nov. 5-16.

More Illinois schools seeing high-speed internet

10/5/2018

In just three years, the number of kindergarten through 12th grade school districts in Illinois able to access the internet at speeds of 100 kbps per student has improved by 25 percent—going from 71 percent to 96 percent. The report, done by EducationSuperHighway, tracks progress toward K-12 connectivity across the United States.

Federal dollars to beef up Illinois’ fight against opioid abuse

9/21/2018

Illinois will receive $43.5 million through a federal grant to be used in the fight against opioid abuse. About $29 million of that will go to increase the availability of addiction treatment and to help reduce overdose-related deaths through prevention, treatment, and recovery initiatives.

State Announces Start of LIHEAP Winter Energy Assistance Program

9/20/2018

The Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity’s Office of Community Assistance announced today that the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) will begin scheduling appointments and accepting applications for winter heating assistance for seniors and people with disabilities beginning October 1, 2018.

BRADY STATEMENT ON CHICAGO MAYOR RAHM EMANUEL

9/4/2018

“I want to thank Mayor Rahm Emanuel for his service to the residents of Chicago, and for his decades of public service as a whole. I wish him nothing but the best as he begins the next chapter in what's already been an amazing journey."

State launches the Driving a Cleaner Illinois program

8/31/2018

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) announced the launch of the “Driving a Cleaner Illinois” program this week, aimed at improving air quality in the state by primarily removing old diesel engines from service.